Intentional Killing of Law Enforcement Officer Results in Death
Sentence for Oklahoma Man

JUL 26 -- MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that the United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, has unanimously affirmed the conviction and death sentence of KENNETH EUGENE BARRETT, age 47, Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

“BARRETT was sentenced on November 18, 2005, to death for intentionally killing a state law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of his duty. The defendant was also sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of release for both using or carrying a firearm during and in relationship to a drug trafficking crime with death resulting and using or carrying a firearm during and in relationship to a federal crime of violence, with death resulting.”

“Out of a dark murderous tragedy, we see today a bright ray of judicial light! The appellate road is long and challenging,” commented U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “We will continue the battle to uphold courageous jury and judicial decisions in this epic case.”

“I am so thankful for a discerning judge, jury, and appellate panel,” continued U.S. Sperling. “It’s clearly affirmed. There is no open season on law enforcement in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.”

“I am particularly grateful to Mike Littlefield for his work on this prosecution. Sheriff Johnny Philpot was instrumental to identify key witnesses to prove the defendant acted with premeditation. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, The Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, and other agents and investigators worked together to investigate this case and see justice done so far,” concluded U.S. Attorney Sperling.